China recognizes Brazil as foot-and-mouth disease free, lifts bans

Key facts

• China's customs agency lifted bans related to foot-and-mouth disease in northern Brazil.
• China now recognizes the whole of Brazil as free of foot-and-mouth disease.
• The decision is expected to expand export opportunities for Brazilian beef and pork products to China.
• Brazil is the world's largest beef and chicken exporter, with China being its largest beef importer.
• The decision follows over 20 years of negotiations between the two countries.
• China recently battled its own foot-and-mouth outbreak in late March.

China's customs agency has officially recognized Brazil as free of foot-and-mouth disease, lifting previous import bans. This significant development, following over two decades of negotiations and a recent visit by Brazil's Foreign Minister, is poised to boost Brazil's meat exports, particularly beef, to China, the world's largest importer. The decision comes despite China's own recent struggles with a foot-and-mouth outbreak in its northwestern regions.